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1 August 2010 Harvestmen as predators of bird nestlings
Thomas J. Benson, Neil A. Chartier
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Abstract

We report the first confirmed cases of harvestmen (Opiliones) feeding upon live vertebrates. In June and July of 2007, in two independent studies of the ecology of Swainson's warblers (Limnothlypis swainsonii Audubon) in Arkansas and North Carolina, we recorded predation of nestlings at two separate nests by harvestmen. Both events were nocturnal, involved relatively young and dependent nestlings, and contributed to or resulted in the death of one or more nestlings. One event involved a group of at least four harvestmen with one to four individuals feeding upon a brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) nestling at one time, and the other involved up to two harvestmen present at the nest, but only one individual fed upon the two Swainson's warbler nestlings.

Thomas J. Benson and Neil A. Chartier "Harvestmen as predators of bird nestlings," The Journal of Arachnology 38(2), 374-376, (1 August 2010). https://doi.org/10.1636/Hi09-106.1
Received: 27 November 2009; Published: 1 August 2010
KEYWORDS
diet
Opiliones
opportunism
predation
vertebrate prey
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